Para-Sports for elite athletes with a disability

For the first time in Games history, indeed at any multi-sport event in the world, a number of Para-Sports were included in a fully inclusive Sports Programme in Manchester 2002. 20 countries sent both male and female elite athletes with a disability to complete in 10 events across 5 different Para-Sports: Athletics, Lawn Bowls, Swimming, Table Tennis and Weightlifting. The inclusion of Para-Sport full medal events continued at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games where 189 elite athletes with a disability from 25 nations took part in Athletics, Swimming, Table Tennis and Powerlifting, competing for Games medals in 12 events.

At the Delhi 2010 Games the opportunity for Para-Sport athletes to compete increased once more with athletes having the opportunity to compete in 15 full medal events in 4 core Para-Sports: Athletics, Lawn Bowls, Powerlifting and Swimming. Events from up to 3 optional Para-Sports can also be chosen by the host city; Cycling (Track), Table Tennis and Wheelchair Basketball. Not more than 20 events across all Para Sports will be included on the sports programme in Glasgow in 2014.

The 15 Para-Sports medal events that were included on the Delhi 2010 programme are as follows: